Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust conserves, restores, and stewards the natural and historic resources of the Rangeley Lakes Region for the benefit of the community and future generations. RLHT has conserved over 22,000 acres of land since 1991, maintains 40 miles of hiking trails, and offers programs to connect the community to conservation. Learn more at rlht.org.  

Summer 2024 Events: 

Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Workshop: Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust will host their annual mushroom workshop on August 27 in Rangeley. Taught by expert Greg Marley, this day-long workshop is devoted to building the skills needed to identify common mushrooms and begin a lifetime of wild mushrooming. The class will combine lecture and outdoor experience to look at identification features, ecology, and the seasonal occurrence of mushrooms. Participants should be prepared for a hike and a fun learning day and invited to bring fresh specimens of mushrooms from their property. 

Loon Count: RLHT will host its annual Common Loon count this summer on July 20th from 7:00-7:30 am. The annual Loon count, in partnership with Maine Audubon, is to monitor the health of the Rangeley region’s beloved loon population. RLHT is always looking for new volunteers to participate.  Anyone interested in joining the count is encouraged to reach out to Sadie Gray, RLHT’s Headwaters Coordinator, at headwaters@rlht.org. 

Summer 2024 Update: 

CONSERVE: In May 2024, RLHT closed on the Mingo Springs Birding Trail. This 100-acre property attracts thousands of visitors each year and is an outstanding public recreational resource. The woodlands and meadows provide diverse habitats for birds and offer exceptional birding opportunities for the public on 3.4 miles of maintained trails. Birdwatchers using eBird have identified 88 species of birds on the property. The Mingo Springs property also contains 88 acres of mapped deer wintering area by MDIFW. A substantial number of white-tailed deer in the Rangeley region rely on these mature softwood stands for refuge during harsh winter conditions. RLHT would like to thank the Chodosh family for their generosity and dedication to conservation. Acquisition of this property would not be possible without support from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.  

RESTORE: In addition to conserving over 10,000 acres of land in the Kennebago watershed, RLHT continues to build resilience, enhance instream habitat, and improve stream connectivity for native brook trout. This summer, RLHT in partnership with USFWS Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, plans to replace three undersized culverts with open-bottomed bridges on tributaries to the Kennebago River. This will reconnect miles of critical upstream habitat for aquatic species, including brook trout. RLHT is also working with Trout Unlimited to complete strategic wood additions on ~2 miles of stream this August to enhance instream habitat and jumpstart ecological processes. RLHT is also working to restore forest stand health, structure, and resiliency while enhancing and maintaining habitat for wildlife.  

STEWARD: RLHT continues to construct and maintain trails across their conservation lands for the health and enjoyment of the community and visitors. RLHT prioritizes keeping land open for public access and offering outdoor recreational opportunities for everyone. As a Land Trust Accredited conservation organization, RLHT sustains a high land stewardship ethic and strives to have a positive impact on the community they serve.  

A special thank you to all of RLHT’s members, your generosity and support fuels conservation efforts in the Rangeley Lakes Region and together, we are making a difference. If you are not a current member of RLHT, please consider joining our conservation community.  

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